City budget not sound

Had the Enquirer's editorial board actually attended Battle Creek's budget workshops, they might not have written their glib opinion regarding several commissioner's dissenting votes on the fiscal year 2013-2014 city budget.

This was more a matter of the city manager not listening to various commissioners' concerns raised during those workshops and him proceeding with recommending an across the board 2 percent meritless pay raise to some 58 employees in management positions, including himself. This was a sticking point for many commissioners along with several pending big ticket, as yet unknown, funding items looming on the city's immediate horizon.

Many commissioners voiced those same concerns again at Tuesday's commission meeting. But the city manager blew past all of that, painted a glowing picture of the 'now' and presented a budget that, while on the surface appeared balanced, was not sound.

One unknown item is a potential lawsuit by fire fighters regarding overtime pay going back approximately 20 years.

After the city manager told them it was a requirement to have this budget in place by June 30, it's a certainty several commissioners felt pressured and that they had no choice but to pass it even though it wasn't in the taxpayers' best interest over the long term.

So for the Enquirer to say they didn't understand commissioners reasoning is grossly unfair. Just because you have money today doesn't always mean it's wise to spend it all now.